BEACH PARKS

If you're looking for a great place to enjoy the water that nearly surrounds the Kitsap Peninsula, try one - or better still, all - of the following state parks. Most offer camping, but some are just a great spot to while away a few leisure hours.

Scenic Beach State Park

Seabeck

Surrounded by massive evergreens and fronted by the panoramic Olympic Mountains, this park offers the quintessential Pacific Northwest beach experience. The shoreline isn't wide or sandy, and at some high tides, the beach all but disappears. Unless you like really cold water, swimming is not what this beach is about.

Roasting hot dogs or searching rocks for crab, oysters and other marine life is a better pastime at this spot. Camping, but no RV hookups.

Illahee State Park

Bremerton

Watch the ferries or look over to Bainbridge Island. Located on Port Orchard Narrows, this is a good shellfishing beach with some sandy shoreline. Camping, but no RV hookups.

Point No Point

Hansville

If your toes just have to feel sand between them, head to this area at the end of Point No Point Road in Hansville. With a sweeping view of Puget Sound and a lighthouse to boot, this is a favorite beach retreat for local folks.

No camping.

Twanoh State Park

Mason County

The sandy beach at Twanoh State Park makes the best saltwater swimming around West Sound. You can also pick oysters at low tides when they are in season. Camping and RV hookups are limited, but worth the wait for a spot.

Salisbury Point County Park

North Kitsap

This small county park just north of the eastern end of the Hood Canal Bridge offers a beachfront picnic area and a boat launch. The park is seldom crowded and offers great views of both the Olympic Mountains and Mount Baker. The campground is being renovated.

Fort Ward State Park

Bainbridge Island

A lovely area, the park offers a beachside road open only to foot traffic and bicycles. The site is a great place for walking. If birdwatching is high on your list of preferred activities, there are several spots along the way that are perfect. No camping.

Fay Bainbridge State Park

Bainbridge Island

This park offers a nearly perfect, sandy beach with a restful view and a windswept, wild feel. Driftwood logs, typical of the Northwest, dot the shoreline. Camping and RV spotswith hookups are available.

Fort Worden State Park

Port Townsend

It has everything from a Marine Science Center, restrooms and camping to old artillery emplacements, a lighthouse and a long, empty beach with huge logs and views. Pleasant sandy beach for walking. Be sure to watch for harbor seals in the surf along the beach. Camping and most spots have RV hookups - and the former officer's housing at the park can be rented.

CUTLINE FOLLOWS: PARK CAMPER: Eight-year-old Bryan Grossman of Seattle settles in the family camp spot at Dosewallips State Park, one of a number of state parks open throughout the year. Photo by Seabury Blair Jr. NUTGRAF FOLLOWS: >b Your favorite state park ... [Read More...]

Camping opportunities NATIONAL FOREST There are several campgrounds in Olympic National Forest on the eastern slopes of the Olympic Mountains and along Hood Canal. They include: Hamma Hamma, Seal Rock, Coho, Lena Creek, Brown Creek, Collins, Elkhorn and Falls View. For information about ... [Read More...]

* State parks are groomed and ready to serve summer campers. What started Memorial Day will continue through the summer. West Sound families will pack their essential stuff and head for the wilderness. Summer camping is as traditional as apple pie and baseball. Most ... [Read More...]

The view of Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains from Kitsap Memorial State Park. Photo by Seabury Blair Jr Kitsap Memorial State Park is exceptional proof that you don't have to travel far to find great camping. In fact, this North Kitsap park ... [Read More...]